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IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future

By Eric PilgrimAugust 23, 2024

IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
Army deputy garrison commanders from various training installations discuss some best practices and ideas for improvement at a U.S. Army Installation Management Command Training Directorate semiannual conference held at Fort Knox, Kentucky Aug. 19-22, 2024. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Garrison deputy commanders from across U.S. Army Installation Management - Training convened at Fort Knox Aug. 19-22 to discuss a variety of unique challenges and trade best practices.

Led by Shawn Lehman, assistant chief of staff G3/5/7 for IMCOM-Training, the deputies came into the conference ready to work through several topics they had submitted prior to arriving. Lehman said he and his staff strategically selected topics that would best guide the discussions.

“We look at the [IMCOM commanding general’s] priorities, the [IMCOM-Training] director’s focus areas, challenges we’re seeing across the enterprise, maybe some new policy changes and guidance,” said Lehman. “We pull in all of those, working with my staff counterparts, come up with a recommended list; then we walk through those.

“It’s driven by either [installation] senior commander priorities, IMCOM commanding general priorities or requests from the garrisons.”

IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Part of the conference was spent in smaller group break-out sessions so deputy garrison commanders could discuss their unique situations with colleagues and come up with innovative solutions. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Some of the hot topics included how to leverage AI and emerging technologies to keep installations modern and efficient. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL

The topics that rose to the forefront involved continuous transformation and Army modernization.

“It impacts all of our installations in some way, shape or form,” said Lehman. “We have to modernize to stay current, so how do we adapt to meet the Army’s needs to produce combat power?”

Lehman acknowledged that training must remain at the forefront of installation planning and management as the Global War on Terrorism fades into the history books.

“We don’t want to be complacent. That’s why the Army is so proactive in knowing we must constantly train,” said Lehman. “We don’t want to get into a lull, so the Army is constantly looking and evaluating threats, especially with AI and emerging technologies.”

Lehman said the conference also provided a rare opportunity for deputy garrison commanders to network.

“Normally the DCGs don’t get to meet their counterparts; MS Teams is improving that, but to be able to mingle with other counterparts and build their network provides them with one of the big things to come out of this – sharing best practices,” said Lehman. “How are other installations doing it, and how are they successful in an area that you may be challenged in?”

Lehman said he and his staff plan deputy garrison commander conferences usually twice a year. The next host installation has not been selected but the tentative conference date is expected to be sometime in March or April 2025.

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IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Karen Johnston, Fort Knox Garrison executive assistant, shakes hands with William Kidd, director of IMCOM ID-T, after receiving a coin from him for her work in organizing and coordinating the conference. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Danielle Goodspeed (center), Saber & Quill assistant manager/catering manager, receives the final award of the ceremony for her work in ensuring all food and drinks were prepared and stocked for the conference. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (from left) Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Speichert, senior noncommissioned officer of IMCOM ID-T, shakes hands with Jamie Meyers, Management and Program analyst, PAIO as Brandon Hunsaker, director of PAIO awaits his award. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (from left) Jim Bradford, Fort Knox Garrison deputy commander, explains to Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Speichert, senior noncommissioned officer of IMCOM ID-T, and William Kidd, director of IMCOM ID-T, why Cory Baxter, chief, Business Operations at Saber & Quill, Raquel Loubrel, Saber & Quill banquet server, Jason Ridgeway, Saber & Quill chef, Mitch Hodge, Saber & Quill laborer and Carrie Sears, Saber & Quill chef were selected to receive coins of excellence at the end of the conference. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL
IMCOM-Training deputy garrison commanders meet at Fort Knox to discuss future
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Speichert, senior noncommissioned officer of IMCOM ID-T shakes hands with Cameron Giles, Saber & Quill club manager, during the conference award ceremony Aug. 22. (Photo Credit: Eric Pilgrim, Fort Knox News) VIEW ORIGINAL